Benefits of Workflow Automation

5 Long-Term Benefits of Workflow Automation

Workflow automation is a valuable tool for any business but invaluable at the larger scale.

Everyone has work that must get done, and workflow automation helps reduce – or even eliminate – the time that needs to be spent on repetitive processes. This means everyday work gets done faster, and employees spend more time on their primary tasks

1. Fewer Errors

There is one thing even a well-managed company can’t escape: human error. It is impossible to anticipate, and when it happens, companies spend time and money fixing it.

Human error can never be completely eliminated in the workforce, but we can make it more avoidable.

Workflow automation can send requests to group members that require a human response to move the process forward. This can range from a simple accept/reject button, to a detailed comment. These easy tasks reduce the chance for human error.

Instead of forgetting to send that email or attaching an outdated file, you only need to give authorization and the work gets moved forward. Employees can focus on the work they are trained to do, and their automated workflows can handle the repetitive tasks.

2. Less Risk

An error in the Sales department can mean a losing a potential customer or deal, while one in Human Resources can mean a potential legal issue.

These departments want the most risk mitigation possible, and workflow automation does that. It covers work that doesn’t require human input or analysis, and that means more focus on primary tasks. Automatically handling repetitive tasks also allows employees to spend more time improving business-critical skills.

3. Saves Time

With workflow automation handling repetitive tasks, employees save time. One of the best examples of time-saving is in hospitals.

Say you get injured and go to the hospital. The doctor prescribes your medication and leaves to help other patients. The nurse goes to the computer, enters the prescription for billing, and brings you the dosage to take. Sometime that day, the nurse must go track down the same doctor to sign a slip confirm administration of that specific drug and dosage.

These are called voice order authorizations (VOA), and must be done for every patient who is prescribed medication. Some hospitals even have specific people whose job is to take these VOAs and track down doctors for their signatures.

Workflow automation is already solving this problem.

Hospitals can utilize workflows that trigger when a nurse enters the drug information for billing. After that, it sends a notification directly to the doctor’s phone to confirm or deny the dosage on the spot. Administrative and nursing staff won’t need to spend time away from patients, doctors have more freedom, and the whole system is faster.

In the long-term, doctors and nurses hone their skills with patients and waste less time on administrative work. (Here are some other benefits of workflow automation for healthcare organizations.)